Frank Bates vs. Fred Johnson — Career Comparison

Fred Johnson built a career as a starting pitcher and Frank Bates as a reliever — different jobs with different demands — but on the metrics that apply to both, a comparison is still worth making. Fred Johnson posted stronger surface numbers — ERA 5.26 and WHIP 1.602 compared to 6.33 and 2.082 for Frank Bates. By the career numbers, Fred Johnson had the better of this cross-role comparison — though era context would sharpen the verdict.